U.S. patent number 10,017,946 [Application Number 15/447,924] was granted by the patent office on 2018-07-10 for roof membrane bonding plate marking tool.
This patent grant is currently assigned to OMG, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is OMG, Inc.. Invention is credited to David H. Allor, Richard L. Belinda, Stanley W. Choiniere, Joshua S. Kelly, Tamilselvan Samiappan, Tad A. Weiss.
United States Patent |
10,017,946 |
Allor , et al. |
July 10, 2018 |
Roof membrane bonding plate marking tool
Abstract
A tool for marking the location of a bonding plate concealed
beneath a roof membrane. The tool has a magnetic attraction to the
bonding plate and causes a marking assembly to vertically lower
toward the roof membrane and rotate on an axle. Rotation of the
marking assembly and vertical lowering causes the marking implement
to come into contact with the roof membrane at a location
corresponding to the location of the bonding plate beneath the roof
membrane. A brake restricts the rotation of the marking assembly on
the axle by coming into contact with an inner edge of a chassis.
Contact between the marking implement and the roof membrane and the
restriction of rotation of the marking assembly by the brake cause
the marking implement to create a visible mark at a position
corresponding to the location of the bonding plate beneath the roof
membrane.
Inventors: |
Allor; David H. (Northborough,
MA), Belinda; Richard L. (Westfield, MA), Samiappan;
Tamilselvan (Simsbury, CT), Kelly; Joshua S.
(Longmeadow, MA), Choiniere; Stanley W. (Southwick, MA),
Weiss; Tad A. (Westhampton, MA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OMG, Inc. |
Agawam |
MA |
US |
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Assignee: |
OMG, Inc. (Agawam, MA)
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Family
ID: |
58398258 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/447,924 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170254090 A1 |
Sep 7, 2017 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62302317 |
Mar 2, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05C
5/02 (20130101); B05B 7/0093 (20130101); E04D
15/00 (20130101); E04D 15/04 (20130101); B65D
83/203 (20130101); B05B 13/005 (20130101); G01R
33/00 (20130101); B05B 9/007 (20130101); B29C
66/742 (20130101); B05C 1/16 (20130101); B05C
1/027 (20130101); B29C 66/71 (20130101); B29C
65/4815 (20130101); B29C 65/46 (20130101); E01C
23/227 (20130101); B29C 66/474 (20130101); B29C
66/7352 (20130101); B29C 66/74283 (20130101); B29L
2031/108 (20130101); B29C 66/1122 (20130101); B29C
66/3494 (20130101); B29C 66/71 (20130101); B29K
2021/003 (20130101); B29C 66/71 (20130101); B29K
2023/00 (20130101); B29C 66/71 (20130101); B29K
2023/16 (20130101); B29C 66/71 (20130101); B29K
2027/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05C
5/02 (20060101); B05B 7/00 (20060101); B05B
15/00 (20180101); E04D 15/00 (20060101); B05B
13/00 (20060101); E04D 15/04 (20060101); B05B
9/00 (20060101); B65D 83/20 (20060101); B05C
1/16 (20060101); B05C 1/02 (20060101); E01C
23/22 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;52/749.12 ;81/45
;116/204,209,211 ;118/264,323 ;222/174,192,608,611.1,185.1
;239/525,147,150,154,722,71 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1074674 |
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Feb 2001 |
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EP |
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2325982 |
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Dec 1998 |
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GB |
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2009046860 |
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Mar 2009 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated May 12, 2017
(PCT/US2017/020415). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Edwards; Laura
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Alix, Yale & Ristas, LLP
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A tool for marking the location of bonding plates positioned
beneath a roof membrane, the tool comprising: a chassis defining an
interior, the interior open toward the roof membrane; a handle
assembly and a set of wheels fastened to the chassis; a marking
assembly situated within the chassis having at least one bonding
plate detector and at least one marking implement projecting toward
the roof membrane, wherein, the marking assembly responds to the
presence of a bonding plate positioned beneath the roof membrane by
moving the marking implement into contact with the roof membrane
and creating a visible mark at a location on the roof membrane
corresponding to the position of the bonding plate positioned
beneath the roof membrane.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the marking assembly comprises at
least one magnet adjacent to the marking implement, the magnet
responding to the presence of the bonding plate and moving the
marking implement into contact with the roof membrane, said contact
between the marking implement and the roof membrane resulting in a
visible mark at the location corresponding to the position of the
bonding plate.
3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the marking assembly comprises a
frame rotatable on an axle, at least one brake, at least one magnet
and at least one marking implement.
4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the marking assembly includes a
brake, the brake restricting rotation of the frame to less than
25.degree..
5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the marking assembly includes a
magnet, the magnet having a pull force greater than 25 pounds.
6. The tool of claim 1, wherein at least one sweeping member
extends across the interior of the chassis, the sweeping member
including a magnet.
7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the marking assembly includes a
frame, a pair of bias members and a magnet, said bias members
biasing the frame toward a non-marking position and said magnet
having a pull force sufficient to overcome the bias toward a
non-marking position to move the frame into a marking position.
8. A tool for marking the location of bonding plates positioned
beneath a roof membrane, the tool comprising: a chassis moveable on
a plurality of wheels and having an inner edge defining an opening;
a marking assembly situated within the inner edge of the chassis,
the marking assembly rotatable on an axle and comprising at least
one brake, at least one magnet and at least one marking implement
adjacent the magnet, wherein, a magnetic attraction of the magnet
to the bonding plate causes the marking implement to come into
contact with the roof membrane at a location corresponding to the
bonding plate, the marking implement creating a visible mark at the
location corresponding to the bonding plate.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the magnetic attraction of the
magnet to the bonding plate causes the marking assembly to rotate
on the axle and the brake restricts rotation on the axle by coming
into contact with the inner edge of the chassis.
10. The tool of claim 8, wherein the magnetic attraction of the
bonding plate to the magnet causes the marking assembly to rotate
in a clockwise direction causing the marking implement to come into
contact with the roof membrane.
11. The tool of claim 8, wherein the marking implement is a
hexagonal crayon.
12. The tool of claim 8, wherein the marking assembly includes a
plurality of magnets configured to have a vertical magnetic
field.
13. A method of manufacturing a tool for marking the location of
bonding plates positioned beneath a roof membrane, the method of
manufacturing the tool comprising: providing a chassis defining an
interior, the interior open toward the roof membrane; providing a
handle and a set of wheels fastened to the chassis; providing a
marking assembly having at least one marking implement and at least
one bonding plate detector; mating a marking assembly with the
chassis, the marking assembly having at least one marking implement
projecting toward the roof membrane, wherein, the detector responds
to the presence of a bonding plate positioned beneath the roof
membrane by moving the marking implement into contact with the roof
membrane and creating a visible mark at a location on the roof
membrane corresponding to the position of the bonding plate
positioned beneath the roof membrane.
14. The method of manufacturing the tool of claim 13, wherein the
step of providing a chassis defining an interior includes the
chassis having an inner edge defining an opening and the marking
assembly is situated within the inner edge of the chassis.
15. The method of manufacturing the tool of claim 13, wherein the
step of providing a marking assembly includes the marking assembly
extending from the inner edge of the chassis to less than 0.50
inches above the roof membrane.
Description
BACKGROUND
The disclosure relates to membrane roofing systems and more
particularly to a tool for marking locations on a roof membrane
corresponding to bonding plates concealed below the roof
membrane.
A bonding plate is a metal plate, typically made of steel,
partially coated with adhesive and used to secure a roof membrane
to a roof structure. The bonding plate is held in place by
fasteners that extend through the bonding plate and a rigid
insulation layer (if present) to engage a roof deck. The adhesive
is heat activated (hot melt) and located on a raised, annular
platform of the bonding plate which surrounds a recess for the
fastener. The plates are heated using an induction heating
apparatus that generates a high frequency oscillating magnetic
field. The magnetic field penetrates the roof membrane and induces
heating of the bonding plate. The heat activates the adhesive such
that it affixes the bonding plate to the underside of the roof
membrane. After heating, as the roof membrane and bonding plate
cool, a powerful magnet is typically placed atop the roof membrane
at the location of the bonding plate to assist in adhesion between
the roof membrane and the bonding plate. The heating apparatus is
then be moved to another bonding plate while previously heated
bonding plates are allowed to cool with pressure applied to the
roof membrane and the bonding plate.
Roof membranes are produced in varying thicknesses, ranging from 30
to 80 mils and are manufactured from different materials including
TPO, EPDM and PVC. Some roof membranes may be layered in
construction, having specific materials at different depths to
attain a desired membrane property.
Clearly identifying the location of each bonding plate beneath the
roof membrane is critical to ensuring that each plate is heated and
pressed while cooling to establish a high-integrity bond between
the roof membrane and the bonding plate. However, once the roof
membrane is laid down atop the bonding plates, the bonding plates
are effectively concealed and can be difficult to locate. The
thickness, composition, material and ambient temperature all impact
the flexibility of the roof membrane and the visibility of the
bonding plate. When temperatures are warm and the roof membrane is
thin, the roof membrane is pliable and drapes over the slightly
raised bonding plates in a manner that may allow the contours of
the bonding plates to be visible by eye through the roof membrane.
When temperatures are cooler and the roof membrane is thicker, the
membrane can be stiff, making bonding plates nearly impossible to
visually detect. Under these circumstances, workers may use their
shoes to scuff the surface of the roof membrane to determine the
location of the bonding plates. Methods such as this can damage the
roof membrane and can be extremely inefficient.
Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that can assist workers
in detecting and marking locations on a roof membrane corresponding
to the location of bonding plates positioned beneath the roof
membrane.
SUMMARY
In the illustrated embodiment, a roof membrane bonding plate
marking tool (hereinafter, "tool") is disclosed. The tool is for
marking the location of bonding plates positioned beneath a roof
membrane. The tool comprises a chassis defining an interior that is
open toward the roof membrane. The chassis is moveable on a
plurality of wheels and includes a handle assembly for pushing or
pulling the tool atop the roof membrane. The chassis also includes
a rectangular inner edge defining an opening. A marking assembly is
situated within the inner edge of the chassis and projects toward
the roof membrane. The marking assembly is rotatable on an axle and
includes at least one brake, at least one magnet and at least one
marking implement adjacent the magnet.
A magnetic attraction between the magnet and the bonding plate
causes the marking assembly to respond to the presence of the
bonding plate by vertically lowering toward the roof membrane and
rotating on the axle. Rotation of the marking assembly and vertical
lowering causes the marking implement to come into contact with the
roof membrane at a location corresponding to the location of the
bonding plate beneath the roof membrane. The brake restricts the
rotation of the marking assembly on the axle by coming into contact
with the inner edge of the chassis. Contact between the marking
implement and the roof membrane and the restriction of rotation of
the marking assembly by the brake cause the marking implement to
create a visible mark at a position corresponding to the location
of the bonding plate beneath the roof membrane. In this manner, the
tool establishes an efficient way to detect and mark the location
of bonding plates concealed beneath a roof membrane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one disclosed embodiment of
the tool according to aspects of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the disclosed embodiment
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional rear view of the disclosed embodiment
of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4A-4F (not drawn to scale) are front views of a marking
assembly shown in various marking and non-marking positions
according to aspects of the disclosure;
FIG. 4G (not drawn to scale) is a magnet showing particular
emphasis on a vertical magnetic field (B) according to aspects of
the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An embodiment of the tool according to aspects of the disclosure
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4G, wherein like
numerals represent like parts. The tool will generally be referred
to by the reference numeral 10. Various materials, methods of
construction, methods of manufacture, and methods of fastening will
be discussed in the context of the disclosed embodiment. Those
skilled in the art will recognize known substitutes for the
materials, manufacturing methods, and fastening methods, all of
which are contemplated as compatible with the disclosed embodiment
and are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tool 10 comprises a chassis 20, a marking
assembly 30, a leading and trailing sweeping member 40, 42, a
handle assembly 50 and wheels 60. The chassis 20 is generally
symmetrical having a front 22 and a rear 24 and opposing sides 26,
28 extending therebetween. The chassis is constructed of a die cast
aluminum, but other materials and methods of manufacture are
compatible with the disclosed tool 10. There are two wheels 60
fastened to an exterior of the sides 26, 28 of the front 22 of the
chassis 20 and two wheels 60 fastened to the exterior of the sides
26, 28 of the rear 24 of the chassis 20.
The handle assembly 50 extends above the chassis 20 and includes a
U-shaped upper handle 52, a U-shaped lower handle 54, two handle
mounts 58 and two or more spring plungers 59. The upper and lower
handles 52, 54 are fastened together with a pair of cam levers 56.
The handle assembly 50 is fastened to the exterior of the sides 26,
28 of the chassis 20 by each handle mount 58. The wheels 60 and
each handle mount 58 are fastened to the chassis 20 with screws.
Each spring plunger 59 extends through each side 26, 28 of the
chassis 20. Each handle mount 58 includes a hole 57 that couples
with the spring plungers 59 to lock the handle assembly 50 into a
pre-determined position. The handle assembly 50 is removable from
the chassis 20 by unfastening each handle mount 58. By pushing the
handle assembly 50, an operator causes the tool 10 to move in a
forward direction along the surface of the roof membrane 200 (shown
in FIGS. 4A-4F). By pulling the handle assembly 50, the operator
causes the tool 10 to move in a backward direction along the
surface of the roof membrane 200.
As shown in FIG. 2, the chassis 20 defines a hollow convex interior
29 which is open toward the roof membrane 200. A front and rear
aperture 21, 23 extends across the chassis 20 between the sides 26,
28 to aid in lifting the tool 10. A rectangular inner edge 25
defines an opening for accommodating the mark assembly 30 between
the first and second apertures 21, 23. The sweeping members 40, 42
extend across and are fastened to the interior 29 of the sides 26,
28 of the chassis 20. Each sweeping member 40, 42 comprises a
hollow elongated aluminum beam 44 surrounding a magnet 46. The
sweeping members 40, 42 are configured to attract and collect
ferromagnetic materials, such as loose screws and metal filings
that are present on and could cause damage to the roof membrane
200. The sweeping members 40, 42 are angled such that accumulation
of collected ferromagnetic materials does not come in contact with
the roof membrane 200.
The marking assembly 30 is situated within the inner edge 25 of the
chassis 20. The marking assembly 30 includes an extruded frame 70
rotatable on an axle 32 and vertically moveable in relation to the
chassis 20. The marking assembly 30 further comprises at least one
bonding plate detector 34, a replaceable first marking implement 36
and a replaceable second marking implement 38. The frame 70
includes a leading and trailing brake 72, 74 and a marking
extension 80. The brakes 72, 74 are each comprised of a pad 76
coupled to a panel of the frame 70 extending down toward the roof
membrane 200. In the disclosed embodiment, the pad 37 is a foam
pad. The brakes 72, 74 restrict the rotation of the frame 70 when
the pad 76 comes into contact with the inner edge 25 of the chassis
20. It is preferred that rotation of the frame 70 is restricted to
less than 25.degree.. In the disclosed embodiment, rotation of the
frame 70 is restricted to 10.degree.. The thickness of the pad 76
can be changed to adjust the range of rotation of the frame 70. The
pad 76 also reduces the amount of noise and vibration created by
contact between the brakes 72, 74 and the inner edge 25 of the
chassis 20.
The marking extension 80 includes an arm 82 extending down toward
the roof membrane 200 from a pivot 84. The pivot 84 receives the
axle 34 at a center of the frame 70. The arm 82 extends down to a
first slot 86 for holding the first marking implement 36, a middle
bore 87 for receiving the detector 34 and a second slot 89 for
holding the second marking implement 38. In the disclosed
embodiment, it is preferred that the middle bore 87 be adjacent to
the first and second slots 86, 89 to increase efficiency of the
marking assembly 30. The middle bore 87 is not limited to any
single shape. The middle bore 87 substantially surrounds the
detector 34 to reduce the tendency of the detector 34 to pick-up
unintended materials such as loose screws and metal filings. The
marking extension 80 has a beveled bottom surface 88 to prevent
damage to the roof membrane 200.
In the disclosed embodiment, the detector 34 is comprised of at
least one neodymium rare earth magnet having a pull force of
greater than 25 pounds, but other magnets such as a manufactured
magnet or an electromagnet are compatible with the tool 10. In the
disclosed embodiment, the detector 34 has a pull force of 68
pounds. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4F and 4G, the detector 34 is
configured such that there is a vertical magnetic field (B) in the
direction of a bonding plate 100, as contrasted to a typical bar
magnet having a magnetic field along its length. The vertical
magnetic field (B) provides an improved pull force acting on the
bonding plate 100 without accumulating unintended materials on ends
of the detector 34.
The slots 86, 89 surround a majority of the circumference of the
marking implements 36, 38 and include triangular radially inward
projecting teeth 81 for securing the marking implements 36, 38. In
the disclosed embodiment, the marking implements 36, 38 are
hexagonal construction crayons, but other materials and methods
capable of producing a mark on a surface are compatible with the
tool 10. It is contemplated that the marking implements 36, 38 may
comprise a marking reservoir filled with a marking material
connected to a porous applicator, such as a felt, a pad, a brush,
or the like. Alternatively, the marking implements 36, 38 may
comprise a pressure delivery system, such as a spray can or bottle
that delivers the marking material through one or more orifices. In
a further alternative, the marking implements 36, 38 may comprise a
print head which generates pressure in response to electrical
signals, such as a dot matrix print head of the kind used to mark
products coming off an assembly line.
It is preferred that the marking material change color when heated
by an induction heating tool. For example, the marking material may
appear red when applied by the tool 10, but when heated above a
threshold temperature such as 300.degree. F., the marking material
turns green. The threshold color-change temperature may be selected
high enough that normal conditions on the roof will not be high
enough to change the color of the visible mark. A typical heat
bonding cycle will raise the temperature of the bonding plate 100
and roof membrane 200 to approximately 400.degree. F. for a short
period of time, providing a range of temperatures that are
available above normal temperatures, even in southern climates in
summer, when temperatures on a flat roof rarely exceed 200.degree.
F. The operator of the tool 10 will be able to clearly see the
location of each bonding plate 100 as an aid in positioning the
induction bonding tool and will also be provided with a clear
visual indication that each bonding plate 100 has been exposed to a
heat bonding cycle due to the change in color of the marking
material. This helps to ensure that each bonding plate 100 is
bonded to the roof membrane 200. Powdered minerals or other
compounds may be identified or blended to have the desired
color-change attributes. Powdered materials may then rinse off the
roof membrane 200 or be temporarily lightly bonded to the roof
membrane 200 with water soluble substances.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the marking assembly 30 is biased toward a
first non-marking position by a pair of bias members 39. As shown
in FIG. 3, each bias member 39 is situated in a pocket 25 on the
interior 29 of each side 26, 28 of the chassis 20. The bias members
39 are selected to support the weight of the marking assembly 30 to
bias the marking assembly 30 toward the first non-marking position,
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4G. In the disclosed embodiment, each bias
member 39 is a coil spring but other biasing mechanisms are
compatible with the tool 10. A T-shaped plug (not shown) is
received in an upper end of each bias member 39 to aid in
supporting and stabilizing the axle 32. Each end of the axle 32 is
positioned atop each T-shaped plug.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the first non-marking position, it is
preferred that the marking implements 36, 38 are oriented at a
pre-determined position of less than 0.50 inches away from the roof
membrane 200. In the disclosed embodiment, the marking implements
36, 38 are oriented at a pre-determined position of 0.17 inches
away from the roof membrane 200. In the first non-marking position,
the marking extension 80 is perpendicular to the roof membrane 200.
A typical bonding plate 100 has a preferred height of less than
0.50 inches. In the disclosed embodiment, the height the bonding
plate 100 is 0.17 inches. The marking assembly 30 is biased toward
the first non-marking position with a spring force less than the
down force generated by the detector 34 when the tool 10 passes
over the bonding plate 100 beneath the roof membrane 200. The force
generated by the magnetic attraction of the detector 34 to the
bonding plate 100 beneath the roof membrane 200 is sufficient to
overcome the bias toward the first non-marking position.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, as the tool 10 moves over the position
of the bonding plate 100, the detector 34 begins to be attracted to
the bonding plate 100 and moves toward the bonding plate 100.
Movement of the detector 34 toward the bonding plate 100 causes the
bias members 39 to compress and the frame 70 to lower closer to the
roof membrane 200.
As shown in FIG. 4B, in a first marking position, the second
marking implement 38 is the first part of the marking assembly 30
to come into contact with the roof membrane 200 at a location
L.sub.1 on the roof membrane 200 corresponding to the location of
the bonding plate 100 below the roof membrane 200. In the first
marking position, it is preferred that the frame 70 is rotated in a
counterclockwise direction and restricted to less than 25.degree.
of rotation by the leading brake 72. In the disclosed embodiment,
the frame 70 is restricted to 10.degree. of rotation in the
counterclockwise direction. In the first marking position, the
second marking implement 38 drags on the roof membrane 200 and
creates an indiscriminate smudge-like visible mark on the roof
membrane 200 at location L.sub.1.
As shown in FIG. 4C, as the tool 10 continues forward, in a second
marking position, the beveled bottom surface 88 of the marking
extension 80 begins to roll on the bonding plate 100 as the
detector 34 pulls the frame 70 toward the bonding plate 100. In the
second marking position, the beveled bottom surface 88 is
predominantly in contact with the roof membrane 200.
As shown in FIG. 4D, as the tool 10 moves over the bonding plate
100, in a third marking position, the first marking implement 36
comes into contact with the roof membrane 200 at a location L.sub.2
corresponding to the location of the bonding plate 100 below the
roof membrane 200. In the third marking position, the frame 70 is
rotated in a clockwise direction and restricted less than
25.degree. of rotation by the trailing brake 74. In the third
marking position, the first marking implement 36 drags on the roof
membrane 200 and creates an inverted C-shaped visible mark on the
roof membrane 200 at the location L.sub.2.
As shown in FIG. 4E, when the bonding plate 100 is no longer within
the magnetic field of the detector 34, the marking assembly 30
rotates less than 25.degree. in a counterclockwise direction back
to a second non-marking position identical to the first marking
position.
* * * * *